Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, along with other free black men formed the Free African Society was a mutual aid organization formed in Philadelphia in 1787 (The Church Awakens...). It provided them assistance for the education, economics, and spiritual wants of the black community. They had monthly due which were paid by the members to help those in need. The Free African Society grew into one of the first black churches in America, also having the commitment to the members and black community. America’s first black priest was Absalom Jones. He was born into slavery in Delaware during the time where slavery was being debated with other about it being immoral and undemocratic. Jones, using the New Testament, had taught himself how to read (The Church Awakens…). …show more content…
The ushers tried to remove the blacks from the lower part, but the group exited, which caused the Free African Society to form. Richard Allen was born a slave, him and his family were sold to the Stokeley Sturgis. He attended Methodist classes and was later converted by the age of 17, with the permission of the family (Free African Society). He traveled through South Carolina, New York, Maryland, and Delaware preaching to both whites and black, for the next 6 year. He soon met Absalom Jones, who shared the same goals of “erecting a place of worship the colored people.” THe members understood that they needed to create the “First African Church.” Most of the blacks favored the Episcopal Church, knowing the members had different religious views (Free African Society of Philadelphia). When the Free African Society was forced to segregate, most of the members did not agree with Methodism and wanted to worship at the Episcopal Church. Though Jones wanted to continue to be a Methodist, he caved and was the minister to the African Episcopal CHurch of St. Thomas. Jones and Reverend William White later agreed to ordained